NEWTON FALLS — Village Council members want to make sure that legislation they present for placement on the meeting agendas ends up appearing on the agenda.

Council voted 4-0 at Wednesday’s meeting that properly submitted and on-time legislation by council appears on the agenda for the next meeting.

First Ward Councilman Brian Kropp said that prior to the Feb. 4 meeting, he submitted motions on time to be added to that meeting’s agenda, and they were not added.

“They were all submitted ahead of time to appear on the agenda. They were submitted on time and were not on the agenda. That is a problem,” Kropp said.

Village Clerk Mike Acomb said Village Manager Jamie Vernaccini said the legislation Kropp submitted needed to be legally reviewed.

Vernaccini was not at Wednesday’s council meeting.

Members of council said the legislation should be placed on the agenda without delay unless there was an issue.

Kropp said he received no explanation as to why the legislation he submitted did not appear on the agenda.

He said he submitted emails seeking an explanation when he received his agenda packet prior to the Feb. 4 meeting.

Fourth Ward Councilman Kevin Rufener said when he served in past years with a previous council and previous administration, there were also issues of legislation being properly submitted and following the timeline submission process that did not appear on the agenda.

He said there needs to be a review of the submission process among council and village officials.

“We have a timeline to follow for an item to be on the agenda. If it has been submitted properly and on time, it should be on the agenda. This will allow for public discussion,” Second Ward Councilman Brian Axiotis said.

Council members said this has happened before with past councils.

Council also voted to remove from Wednesday’s agenda a statement “clarification or removal of agenda items only” in order to find the reasoning for why it was placed on the agenda.

Acomb said he was told by Vernaccini to add that to the agenda in the section on changes to the agenda.

Rufener said he questioned the addition of the verbiage and why the agenda was changed.

Law Director Jeff Limbian said he will check on why that addition and any other changes were made on the agenda.

COVERED BRIDGE

In other business, Mayor David Hanson said plans are being made by County Engineer David DiChristofaro to give the covered bridge a “facelift” possibly starting in the spring.

“This project will be upcoming. The bridge is in need of some work,” Hanson said.

Officials have been concerned with the safety of the covered bridge after it has been hit and damaged by people in vehicles recently, including once last month.

Officials said the Trumbull County Commissioners are expected to hire an engineering firm to create a design plan to enhance the bridge, which was erected in 1831 and is located on River Street.

Hanson and council want to see the bridge protected from vehicle crashes.

Officials said they would like to see the bridge painted, floorboards replaced and drainage improvements made to extend the life of the bridge.

Hanson has said he wants to see the bridge used for what it was constructed while some members of council want it closed to vehicles and instead have a walkway inside for visitors.

The covered bridge is a tourist attraction and on the National Register of Historic Places.